Sydney demolisher smashes apart archway in 1939

In 1938, Sydney demolition man Joe Dobson had a terrible accident. While breaking apart the MLC Building (in Martin Place, on the site now occupied by the Henry Davis York Building), he fell eight metres into a lift well — breaking both arms and his pelvis. The accident didn't appear to deter Dobson from his job, which he'd worked at for more than 15 years. He apparently recovered quickly and returned to work: he's pictured here demolishing Hoffnung's building in Pitt Street in 1939. His accident doesn't seem to have made him more cautious — standing over the very arch he's pounding with a sledgehammer. (State Library of New South Wales)